Movable fireproof wall and joint



Jan. 31, 1967 A. HILLER 3,300,919

MOVABLE FIREPROOF WALL AND JOINT Filed Feb. 10, 1964 FIG. I.

INVENTOR ARNON HILLER ATTORNEY.

' 3,300,919 v MOVABLE FIREPROOF WALL AND JQINT Arnon Hiller, Kew Gardens, N.Y., assignorto United States Plywood Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York .Filed Feb. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 343,577 11 Claims. (Cl. 52-122) The present invention is generally concerned with a unique movable fireproof wall or partition assembly. The inventionis more particularly concerned .with a wall or partition assembly which meets standards established by the Underwriters, Laboratories with respect to its ability to resist fire and heat minimum conditions. In essence, the fireproof partition assembly of the present invention comprises, in combination, a number of elements which are interrelated so as to secure a high qualitywall or partition and the like which will readily passall Underwriters Laboratories requirements :and thusmeet the rigid Building Codes established by many regulatory bodies. The wall or partition of the present invention will materially reduce the hazard or danger of a general conflagration and thus will greatlyincrease the overall safety of life and property.

The use of movable walls and the like in modern architecture and building construction is well known in the art. It is also well known of the desirability of providing fireproof construction. Usually this has been accomplished by utilizing incombustible material such as, steel panels, cement, asbestos, and the like. However, these materials do not have the warmth and pleasing appearance ofrnaterials, such as, wood panels, as for example, plywood panels and the like. However, it has been very ditficult to fabricate a wall structure, particularly a movable wall structure, which comprises decorative wood panels, and also have this wood structure meet the Underwriters Laboratoriesstandards with respect to its ability of meeting the fire code regulations or tests.

The panel or wall structure of the present invention has accomplished this by the utilization of wood-faced, Weldrok 1 core panels, particularly in conjunction with a vertical joint. The structural units of the present invention have great flexibility and ruggedness. The present invention may be readily understood by reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments of the same.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a plurality of panels of the present invention in elevation or a front view of the same.

FIGURE 2 illustrates in some detail the method by which respective panels are attached one to the other by means of splines.

FIGURE 3 shows in detail a horizontal section showing one of the panels attached to a side wall.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section of a panel showing the technique by which the same is attached to the floor and the ceiling.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 1, panels 1 and 2 are shown positioned abutting one another by means of a post assembly 3. A floor element or edge trim element 5 is shown attached to these panels along the floor while a ceiling edge trim element 4 is shown attached to the top of the panels along the ceiling. Levelling bolts 6 are shown which operate in a manner as hereinafter described. Wood runners are utilized along the floor as will hereinafter be described. They are attached to the floor of masonry or concrete preferably with bolts spaced about 12 inches on center.

5 Referring specifically to FIGURE 2, two identical lncombustible calcium silicate gypsum composition with asbestos reinforcing fibers manufactured by United States Plywood Corp.

.United States Patent O ice panels 20 and 2tiA are shown attached one to another. Panel 20 consists of a core 12 which is of an incombustible material containing wood-like or plywood face elements 14 and 10. Panel 20A consists of an inner incombustible core 13 and two decorative wood faces 15 and 11. The precise dimensions of these panels may vary appreciably, depending upon factors, such as, ultimate use, etc. Panels Zlland 20A are preferably approximately 2%" thick. These panels contain longitudinal grooves which are approximately /2 wide and 1" deep. These grooves are along the vertical edges and are adapted for the insertion of splines of an incombustible mineral composition type. r

Again referring specifically to FIGURE 2, splines 18 and 19, of an incombustible material, are positioned in the grooves and thereby attach the respective panels 20 and 20A one to the other. Decorative elements 16 and 17 which may be of a metal type, such as aluminum, are then wedged or afixed intermediate the respective panels to produce a very decorative, pleasing, and fire-resistant barrier. Post elements 21 and 22 are shown intermediate the panels adjacent the splines.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 3, panel 25 is shown abutting up against wall 26. Panel 27 is attached to panel 25 by means of post elements 28 and 29 which will be hereinafter described in detail. A simple thin U shaped metal molding or trim 32 having arms 30 and 31 is secured to the wall 26 by any suitable means.

Spline 34 is inserted in the groove of panel 25 while spline 35 is inserted in the groove of panel 27. These splines are a-butted tightly against one another as illustrated. The splines are prefere'bly cut from /z" thick mineral composition units and weigh about 36 lb./cubic foot. They are 2% wide and are cut to the length of the building panels.

Posts 28 and 29 are placed between the panels and abut against the extended splines. These posts are preferably cut from thick asbestos cement board and weigh about lbs./ cubic foot. They are 2%" wide and ex tend the height of the respective units or panel. j

Batten covers 36 and 37 are placed between the panels and abut against the respective post 28 and 29. These covers comprises preferably extruded aluminum and are of any desirable shape or size. For example, they may be 1%" wide by /8" deep. They are preferably of the snap-on type.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 4, panel 40 is shown positioned on the fioor 41 and extending to the ceiling 42. Wood floor runners 43 and wood ceiling runners 44 could preferably be boards 2%" wide by 1 /2" high and preferably made of soft maple. These floor and ceiling runners consist essentially of wood pieces which are chemically treated to reduce the rate of flame spread. They are attached to concrete or masonry with suitable bolts or other means which bolts are preferably spaced 12 inches on center.

The panels are preferably levelled to the desired degree by means of levelling bolts 45 which are steel rods preferably about "in diameter and about 6" long with two nuts A" thick by 1" diameter steel Washers. All clearance openings such as 46 and 47 are filled with Rockwool or equivalent non-combustible material. Edge trim 48 and 49 is used along the floor while edge trim 50 and 5-1 is used along the ceiling. This edge trim is maintained in position by metal screws similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The panels consist of an incombustible core faced with wood veneers 38, 38a, 39 and 39a in FIGURE 3 and with veneers 52 and 53 in FIGURE 4. The entire assembly is held rigid and in place by means of through screws 60 and 61. These screws are preferably about 1 /2" long and are spaced vertically at approximately 8" on center to secure splines, posts and battens. The heads are preferably staggered vertically 16 on center on opposite sides.

The present invention is primarily concerned with a l-hour structurally rigid rated fire wall assembly having a vertical joint. The panel itself consists of an incombustible core which is of great flexibility and ruggedness. The Weldrok core, in essence, comprises an incom'busti'ble calcium silicate composition with asbestos reinforcing fibers as mentioned before. The hardwood veneers, preferably, could comprise a & thick veneer on a basswood or some other species substrate.

The panels of the present invention consist essentially of a non-combustible core material faced on both sides with wood veneers. The vertical joints formed by adjacent panels or units are protected by means of mineral composition splines, asbestos cement board posts, and aluminum battens and noncombustible trim. The buildings units or panels are supported along the edges by means of levelling bolts, wood runners, and asbestos cement board trim.

The panel or partition of the present invention meets fire resistance classification for a wall assembly and can be erected and constructed of materials conforming in quality and physical properties to those described, and will pass all fire tests in accordance with the standards for fire tests of building constructions and materials, .UL 263 (ASTM 119 and NFPA 251). The panel which comprises a movable wall combines the extreme provisions of a fire-rated wall with the flexibility inherent in a movable partition and yet maintains the aesthetic design features of a pleasing post in combination with painted or natural hardwood faced panels.

In order to further illustrate the invention the following specific example and facts are given.

The panel or wall assembly of the present invention was tested at the Underwriters Laboratories in Chicago in a furnace having a 10 x 10' opening. Although ASTM test 119 requires one hour exposure to 1700 F., this wall proved itself for one hour and ten minutes by Withstanding heat rise on an unexposed surface or" 250 F., above its ambient temperature. After the fire endurance test the wall assembly was subjected to the hose stream test for a maximum of one minute at 30 lbs./ sq. in. water pressure at the base of the nozzle.

Example The wall was constructed in which the respective materials used were as follows:

Building UnitsThe wood faced building units measured 2%" thick by 97%" long and were supplied in 4 and 1'7" widths. Grooves measuring wide by deep were cut in the vertical edges of the unitsto allow for the insertion of mineral composition splines.

The wood runners, used to support the top and bottom edges of the building units, consisted of two pieces of by 2%" soft maple, chemically treated to reduce the flame spread and glued together to form 1 /2" high by 2%" wide runners. The runners were supplied in 81%" lengths. Steel levelling bolts, were used to align and support the units, measured diameter by 6 long and were supplied with two 7 nuts and Ma" thick steel washers. The splines, inserted in the grooves provided in the vertical edges of the units, were fabricated from /2" thick mineral composition units, listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc, Guide No. 40 U813, weighing 36 lb./cubic foot, supplied in 10 lengths and out into 2 /8" widths. The posts, placed on both sides of the assembly over the splines, were fabricated from :43" thick asbestos cement board, weighing 120 lb./cubic foot, and supplied in 8'1" lengths and 2%" widths.

The battens, placed over the posts, were fabricated from extruded aluminum, %2" thick, and measured 2%" wide by /2" deep. The batten covers were of the snap-on type, fabricated from approximately thick extruded aluminum, and measured 1% wide by deep. The edges or trim of the assembly were protected with /s" thick asbestos cement board, Weighing lbt/cubic foot, supplied in 4 /2", 3" and 2." widths and 8'1" lengths. The2" by 2" steel support angles, used to secure the vertical edges of the assembly to the test frame walls, were fabricated from No. 16 gauge steel. The Rockwool insulation, placed in the clearance openings between the edges of the units and the test frame walls and runners, weighted 3.5 lbs/cubic foot.

The wall assembly was erected in the test frame so as to till the masonry opening in accordance with the methods of the test, of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

The 2%" Wide by 1%" high wood runners were .attached to the concrete lintel and sill'of the test frame. Section measuring approximatly 8 1" and 2'1" were abutted together to form continuous support along the lintel and sill.

The first panel was placed in the test frame opening and two levelling bolts were inserted in the holes previously drilled. The unit was aligned in the test frame by means of the top nut and washer of the levelling bolt.

The /2 thick spline was cut to the length of the building unit or panel and inserted in the groove provided in the unit. A second building unit was placed in the test frame in a similar manner as the first unit. There was approximately 2 clearance allowed between adjacent edges of the units, with the meeting edges of the splines butted together. A third panel measuring 19" wide was placed in the test frame as previously described. After alignment of the units, there was about 1" clearance between the bottom edge of the units and the floor runner, /2 clearance between the top edge and the ceiling runner, and clearance between the vertical edges and the test frame walls.

Holes were spaced vertically 8 on center and 16 on center on both sides of the assembly, with one splice located at each post, extending the length of the units. Through holes were then drilled in the splines. The aluminum battens were placed on both sides of the assembly over the posts and the nuts on the through screws tightened. The aluminum batten covers were then snapped on the battens.

The thick asbestos cement board trim pieces, measuring 4 /2" wide at the sill and 2 /2 wide at the lintel were attached to the top and bottom runners. The thick by 2 wide trimat the sides was secured by placing the 2" by 2 angles over the trim and attaching the angles to the units with 1 /4" wood screws and spaced vertically 18" on center, and secured to the brick walls of the test frame.

The clearance openings between the edges of the units and the test fname walls and runners were filled with Rockwool insulation to 3.5 lb./cubic foot density. The asbestos cement board trim and angles were attached to the opposite side of the assembly 'as previously described.

The partition was then tested in accordance with the Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Material UL 263 (ASTM E 119, NFPA 251). In essence this test is as follows:

The furnace fire is started exposing one side of the wall assembly to gas flames of controlled severity and extent in accordance with the Standard Time-Temperature Curve. After the fire is extinguished, the partition is immediately withdrawn from the furnace and subjected to the impact, cooling, and eroding action of a 30 p.s.i. water stream applied with a 1%" nozzle at a distance of 20' for 60 seconds.

When the test was made as described the fire was lum inous and well distributed throughout the test. The furnace temperature was controlled in accordance with the Standard.

The results on the panel being tested were that the wood facing began flaming shortly after the furnace fire was ignited. At the 3 minute duration of exposure, flaming of the exposed surface ceased and, at 5 minutes, small pieces of charred wood fell into the furnace chamber. As the test progressed, pieces of charred wood continued to fall and by 28 minutes, the core material was completely exposed to view.

At 16 minutes of exposure, both aluminum batten covers had pulled toward the fire at the top of the wall. At about 20 minutes the batten covers began to melt along the bottom half of the assembly and by 29 minutes they had completely melted. Also, at 29 minutes, the aluminum battens had melted at the bottom of the assembly and by 42 minutes they had completely melted.

At 23 minutes, of exposure, light flaming of the bottom and top wood runners was visible. As the test continued, light flaming of the top and bottom runners was visible intermittently throughout the test. At about 30 minutes, cracks began to develop in the vertical edge rails of the building units and pieces of the rail material began to pull toward the fire. By 51 minutes pieces of the rail material had fallen into the furnace chamber. At 60 minutes of exposure, there were no openings in the assembly and the core material remained in place. The furnace fire was extinguished at 70 minutes, and the partition immediately removed from the furnace and subjected to the hose stream test.

As to unexposed surfaces at five minutes of exposure, smoke was visible at the top edge of the assembly along the test frame lintel. By 8 minutes, all signs of smoking ceased. There were no changes in the appearance of the unexposed surface during the remainder of the test.

As to the temperature developed, the limiting end point temperatures are reached when heat transmission through the assembly is sufficient to raise the average temperature 250 F. above the ambient temperature, or when the tem perature of any individual point rises 30 percent in excess of the allowable 250 F. rise. In this test, the initial temperature was 73 F.; therefore, the average limiting temperature was 323 F. and the individual limiting temperature was 398 F. Analysis of the unexposed surface temperature showed that at 60 minutes of exposure, the average and maximum temperatures were 273 and 315 F.

As mentioned before, after the furnace fire was extinguished at 70 minutes, the partition of this invention was removed from the furnace and subjected to the impact. eroding and cooling effects of a hose stream. The purpose was to determine if the assembly was capable of withstanding the hose stream after the 70 minutes fire endunance test rather than continuing the fire exposure until end point temperatures were reached and then exposing a second sample to a 30 minute fire and hose stream test as permitted by the Standard.

The hose stream washed away loose pieces of the edge rail material of the building units at the vertical seams and pieces of asbestos cement board trim along the top and bottom edges of the assembly, but did not penetrate the assembly.

After being exposed to these tests the assembly of the present invention stood up remarkably well. On the exposed side, the top and bottom wood runners and rails of the building units were charred to various depths, the maximum metal angles located along the sides of the assembly were warped, but remained in position. The asbestos cement board posts protecting the joints were cracked in various locations, but remained held in place by means of the through bolts. The core material remained intact. There were no visible changes in the ap 'pearance of the unexposed surface.

Thus, in fact no passage of flame, smoke, or hot gases through the partition assembly occurred during the fire exposure. The transmission of heat through the assembly did not raise the average temperature of the unexposed surface over the allowable 250 F. limit, or 325 F. for any single temperature reading during the 1 hour classification period. The assembly withstood the hose stream test after 70 minutes of fire exposure without penetration of the assembly by the water stream.

I claim:

1. Movable fireproof partition which comprises in combination, (l) a plurality of incombustible core elements extending substantially from the floor to the ceiling of a room, said core elements characterized by having vertical recesses in their longitudinal edges, (2) incombustible splines seated in said recesses, said splines characterized by extending beyond the planes of said edges and abutting one against the other, (3) incombustible posts positioned along the entire extending face surfaces of said splines and (4) aifixing means extending through said posts and said splines, whereby said core elements, said splines and said posts are rigidly afiixed as a fireproof partition assembly.

2. Partition as defined by claim 1 wherein said core elements comprise a calcium silicate composition with asbestos reinforcing fibers, and wherein said posts comprise an asbestos cement composition.

3. Partition as defined by claim 1 where, (5) wood veneers are aifixed to the face surfaces of said core elements and wherein (6) decorative metallic elements are positioned adjacent said posts between said panels, whereby a pleasing aesthetic fireproof structure results.

4. Partition as defined by claim 3 wherein, (7) levelling bolts are positioned along the lower sides of said core elements which are adapted to adjust the levels and heights of said core elements.

5. Partition as defined by claim 4 wherein, (8) floor runners are positioned along a supporting floor, where runners are adapted to support said levelling bolts.

6. Partition as defined by claim 5 wherein, (9) incombustible fioor trim members abut against the supporting floor, against the sides of said floor runners and against the lower surfaces of said core elements.

7. Partition as defined by claim 6 wherein, (10) incombustible Rockwool is packed into the area bounded by the lower sides of said core elements, the upper surfaces of said floor runners and the inner surfaces of said fioor trim panels.

8. A movable fireproof partition assembly which comprises in combination, (1) a plurality of incombustible core elements extending substantially from the floor to the ceiling of a room, said core elements characterized by having vertical recesses in their longitudinal edges, (2) incombustible splines seated in said recesses, said splines characterized by extending beyond the planes of said edges and abutting one against the other, (3) incombustible posts positioned along the entire extending face surfaces of said splines, (4) affixing means extending through said posts and said splines, (5) levelling bolts positioned along the bottom edges of said core elements which are adapted to adjust the levels and heights of said core elements (6) a wood ceiling runner rigidly affixed to a ceiling, (7) edge trim elements rigidly affixed to said ceiling runner and extending vertically downwardly in a manner to encase the upper edges of said panels and to provide a space between said upper edges and said ceiling runner, whereby when said levelling bolts are actuated, play is provided for movement in said space.

9. Assembly as defined by claim 8, wherein (8) a floor runner is rigidly affixed to a floor, and wherein (9) floor edge trim elements are rigidly aflixed to said floor runner in a manner to encase the lower edges of said panels so as to provide a floor space between said floor runner and the lower edges of said panels, wherein said levelling bolts are positioned.

10. Assembly as defined by claim 9, wherein, (10) in combustible material is packed into said space and into said floor space.

11. Assembly as defined by claim 10, wherein (11) decorative metallic elements are positioned between the longitudinal sides of said panels abutting said posts in a manner to conceal said aflixing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,486,541 3/1924 Ottosson 52-580 1,798,392 3/1931 Adams 52-122 Levene 52-495 Carpenter 52-210 Wilson 52-5 80 Waller 52-495 Buergin.

Barss 5 2-241 Gartrell 52-612 Peterson 52-241 10 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. 

8. A MOVABLE FIREPROOF PARTITION ASSEMBLY WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION, (1) A PLURALITY OF INCOMBUSTIBLE CORE ELEMENTS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE FLOOR TO THE CEILING OF A ROOM, SAID CORE ELEMENTS CHARACTERIZED BY HAVING VERTICAL RECESSES IN THEIR LONGITUDINAL EDGES, (2) INCOMBUSTIBLE SPLINES SEATED IN SAID RECESSES, SAID SPLINES CHARACTERIZED BY EXTENDING BEYOND THE PLANES OF SAID EDGES AND ABUTTING ONE AGAINST THE OTHER, (3) INCOMBUSTIBLE POSTS POSITIONED ALONG THE ENTIRE EXTENDING FACE SURFACE OF SAID SPLINES, (4) AFFIXING MEANS EXTEND ING THROUGH SAID POSTS AND SAID SPLINES, (5) LEVELLING BOLTS POSITIONED ALONG THE BOTTOM EDGES OF SAID CORE ELEMENTS WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO ADJUST THE LEVELS AND HEIGHTS OF SAID CORE ELEMENTS (6) A WOOD CEILING RUNNER RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO A CEILING, (7) EDGE TRIM ELEMENTS RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO SAID CEILING RUNNER AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY DOWNWARDLY IN A MANNER TO ENCASE THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID PANELS AND TO PROVIDE A SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER EDGES AND SAID CEILING RUNNER, WHEREBY WHEN SAID LEVELLING BOLTS ARE ACTUATED, PLAY IS PROVIDED FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID SPACE. 